BTS has dream come true with their Grammy debut

February 11, 2019

The K-pop boy band sensation BTS called their debut on the Grammy stage on Monday a moment when their dreams came true, voicing their hope to return to the prominent music award ceremony in the future.

“Growing up in South Korea, we always dreamed about standing on the Grammy stage. Thanks to all our fans for making this dream come true,” BTS leader RM said after the band took the stage to present the Best R&B Album award during the 61st Grammy Awards on Sunday (U.S. time) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

BTS was invited to the annual music award ceremony as an award presenter to finish up their debut at the three major music award events, including the Billboard and American Music Awards.

This photo of BTS ahead of the 61st Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, 2019 (U.S. time), was provided by Big Hit Entertainment. (Yonhap)

RM implied the group’s determination to leave further footprints on the Grammy stage in the future, by saying “I will be back.” “Fake Love,” one of the band’s latest songs, was played in the background as BTS came to the stage.

The Best R&B Album award went to H.E.R., whom BTS named as one of the artists they most want to meet at the Grammy awards.

Appearing on the red carpet ahead of the award show, BTS expressed nervousness and excitement at being the first-ever South Korean artists to attend the event.

“I can (see) so many artists. It’s exciting,” BTS member Jin said in a brief interview on the red carpet before the ceremony. “(It’s a) dream come true,” member J-Hope noted.

Suga also expressed his thrill, saying, “I cannot believe it,” as the seven members appeared on the red carpet clad in sleek black tailored suits.

RM also briefly heralded the upcoming release of the band’s new album, saying it will be out “sooner than later.”

“We have been just working on our next album. We stayed up all night right before the flight (to the U.S.),” RM said, adding that, “It will be really soon.”

“There could be collaboration songs and some joint songs,” he said after being asked about the possibility of more collaborations with other artists. “We don’t know (yet). We are working on it,” he said.

Asked to name which artists the band wants to see at the award event and collaborate with, the members came up with H.E.R. Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Travis Scott and “everybody.”

In another short interview with American host Ryan Seacrest on the red carpet, the members also thanked their fans.

“It’s a blessing that we can get so much love for doing what we love to do. We are so thankful,” member Jungkook said in smooth English.

“They made us, they gave the wins and they gave all the opportunities to us,” RM said in another interview with the TV show Entertainment Tonight, referring to their fandom, ARMY. “So I am sure they will be proud … and they are here with us today.”

Even after the wild success, “we still try to stay ourselves. We could be proud and a little bit high, but we try to keep on what we are doing,” he said, adding, “I think being ourselves, waiting for the opportunity and challenging is the most important thing.”

Asked if BTS will perform at the Sunday event, RM noted, “Maybe next year. We don’t know.”

HuskyFox, a South Korean branding firm that designed the jacket for BTS’ third full-length album “Love Yourself: Tear,” was nominated in the award ceremony’s Best Recording Package category but didn’t win the award.

Grammy Awards was the last of the three major American music awards the globally-celebrated K-pop band has debuted after the band picked up the Top Social Artist Award and premiered “Fake Love” during last year’s Billboard Music Awards before the band performed at American Music Awards later in the year.

At the 61st Grammy Awards, the most prestigious award, Album of the Year, went to Kacey Musgraves while Cardi B became the first woman to win the Best Rap Album award.